The Bangalore to Kerala road trip is a fascinating experience! This road trip from Bangalore covers the lovely hills of Munnar, the serene backwaters of Alleppey/Kumarakkom, pristine beaches at Varkala, the sights of Fort Kochi and temples in Kanyakumari and Madurai.
The drives cover not more than 300 KMs in a day. The plan is to cover for a week and extend for another two days. It also provides you with an option to just plan for as many days you wish to.
We have been to this small little, lovely state many times and it continues to mesmerise us. We thought of making it easier for you to explore with this comfortable itinerary.
Since this is a road trip, we strongly suggest that you should keep at least 5 days at your disposal to do justice. Though we have planned this Bangalore to Kerala road trip to cover ten days, you can always tweak it and plan as per your needs.
This road trip covers South Kerala. It is advisable to cover Malabar along with Mangalore
Winter months or months immediately after monsoon is the best season to do this lovely road trip.
It is time to explore exotic Kerala!
Weather Alert – This is summer time and day times are hot and humid. Cover well and drink a lot of water and be well hydrated.
The Circuit
Bangalore – Munnar – Kochi – Kumarakkom/Alleppey – Varkala/Kollam – Trivandrum – Kanyakumari – Madurai – Bangalore
For a detailed Google map Link, please click on this.
Here is the itinerary. Please click on the pictures to see them in larger sizes.
Please make sure you have recharged/topped up your FASTag account before going on the road trip.
Day 1 – Bangalore – Munnar
Distance – 539 KMs
Road condition – Excellent except for a few patches on the Ghat road
Route – Bangalore – Salem -Karur -Dindigul -Theni -Bodinayakkannur -Munnar
Google Map – http://tinyurl.com/k86t4gj
Beautiful vistas on the Ghat section from Bodinayakannur
Check out this post on 3 spectacular routes from Bangalore to Munnar on this blog with all the details
Rest and relax in your hotel/resort for the night.
Day 2 – Explore Munnar – Two Lakes and Top Station
Distance – 140 KMs ( Return journey)
Road Condition – Excellent
Google Map – http://tinyurl.com/mzyjwbv
 Kundala Lake, Munnar |
After breakfast, drive towards Top Station. It is a lovely drive. Click pictures for keeps sake at “Photo Point”, and visit the floriculture centre, Echo Point and Indo-Swiss dairy on the way.
Enjoy boating in Mattupatty and Kundala lakes. Get mesmerised by the beauty of Top Station. You can either carry your packed lunch or have Maggi/egg in Top Station.
On the way back stop over at Kannan Devan Tea Store in town to buy tea and spices. For more details check out this post on this blog.
Day 3 – Explore Munnar – Eravikulam National Park, Marayoor sandalwood farm and Chinar Wild Life Sanctuary
Distance – 100 KMs (Return journey)
Road Condition – Excellent
Google map of the Route – http://tinyurl.com/mk4q5n2
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| A Stream on the Way to Eravikulam |
We would recommend you leave early after an early breakfast to be there when the park opens at 8 AM. Else, one can also come back and have breakfast depending on how far is your hotel from the park. Go for the guided tour of the park.
If you are keen on trekking, there are different trails in the park and need to contact the park authorities.
After visiting the park, drive towards Marayoor and Chinar Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery on the way. Visit the lovely tea museum run by Kannan Devan Plantations and also the Chinar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.
Day 4 – Munnar – Athirapally Falls – Kochi
Distance – 209 KMs (One way)
Road Condition – Excellent. Few KMs inside the forest after Kalady is patchy.
Google map of the Route http://tinyurl.com/lrc5sav
Distance – 209 KMs (One way)
Road Condition – Excellent. Few KMs inside the forest after Kalady is patchy.
Google map of the Route http://tinyurl.com/lrc5sav
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| Cheeyapara falls |
Check out after breakfast and drive to Kochi.
This is a beautiful drive. Especially during or immediately after monsoon. You will find numerous waterfalls on the way. Enjoy the lovely vistas of Cheeyyapara, and Vallara waterfalls.
The road is winding and need to drive safely. On the way visit Kalady, the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya which has a lovely temple on the banks of Pampa. Reach Athirapally Falls by afternoon.
Have lunch at many restaurants around the falls and visit the falls after lunch.
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| Athirapally Falls |
The place is a very well-maintained and plastic-free zone. Enjoy the beauty of the falls and drive to your hotel/resort in Kochi.
Check out our detailed post on Athirapally Falls here. – Athirapally Falls – Awesomely beautiful!
This is a lovely drive. You can read part of the drive here.
If possible reach Kochi before sunset and enjoy the excellent sunset with Chinese fishing nests in the foreground. In the evening, if you are not tired, explore mouth-watering seafood in the fort area.
Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.
Day 5 – Kochi – Kumarakkom/Alleppey
Distance – 58 KMs to Alleppey / 53 Kms to Kumarakom ( One Way)
Road Condition – Excellent.
Google map of Route http://tinyurl.com/kfuy4ww and http://tinyurl.com/lxlc3cy
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| Sunset and Chinese fishing nets, Kochi |
If you haven’t been able to catch the sunset on the previous day, then get up and drive to the fort area. Park your car and go for a morning walk.
Enjoy the lovely vistas of Chinese fishing nets against the backdrop of the sea. Come back, have your breakfast or have breakfast in numerous little cafes in the Fort area.
Walk around and visit the Synagogue and explore the antique stores. Visit the restored palace and depart for Kumarakom/Alleppey.
Reach Kumarakkom/Alleppey by lunch. After lunch go for a Cruise on a houseboat. You need to arrange this in advance by talking to your hotel. Enjoy the sunset cruise.
Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.
Day 6 – Explore Kumarakkom/Alleppey
Distance – Minimal
Road Condition – Not applicable
Route – Not Applicable
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| Houseboat on Vembanad lake, Kumarakkom |
If staying in Kumarakkom, go for bird watching early in the morning. After breakfast go for a cruise on Vembanad Lake.
If staying in Alleppey, enjoy the beach in the morning and go for a cruise after breakfast.
Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.
Day 7 – Kumarakkom/Alleppey to Varkala
Distance – 132 KMs from Kumarakkom / 118 KMs from Alleppey ( One Way)
Road Condition – Excellent.
Google map of the route http://tinyurl.com/n2u5egc and http://tinyurl.com/lkctpbg
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| Varkala beach |
A lovely drive after breakfast will bring you to Varkala. Enjoy the beach. Just chill and relax. Enjoy the gorgeous sunset.
Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.
Day 8 – Varkala – Trivandrum – Kanyakumari
Distance – 136 KMs (One way)
Road Condition – Excellent.
Google map of the Route http://tinyurl.com/lojp3jn
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| Vivekananda rock memorial |
Leave early and reach Trivandrum.
Have breakfast in any of the restaurants in the city and head straight to Padmanabhaswamy temple. Make sure you carry a Dhoti along. Change into Dhoti and visit the temple.
After spending an hour in the temple, drive towards Kanyakumari. On the way, visit the marvellous wooden palace at Padmanabhapuram.
Reach Kanyakumari by the afternoon. Check into your hotel, have a bite in any of the restaurants in town and straight away head to Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
Spend an hour on the island and when you return visit the temple of Kanyakumari. Go to the beach in the evening near Gandhi Manatap and enjoy the sunset.
Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort. Or walk around the streets to shop for local handicrafts.
Day 9 – Kanyakumari – Madurai
Distance – 244 KMs (One way)
Road Condition – Excellent.
Google map of the Route http://tinyurl.com/ny9yl87
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| Meenakshi temple, Madurai |
Get up early to enjoy the gorgeous sunrise. Have breakfast and drive to Madurai.
Reach Madurai by lunch. After lunch and rest visit the mammoth temple of Goddess Meenakshi. If you still have time visit the palace of Tirumala Nayaka. In the evening, go around and enjoy the delicacies of Madurai. Check out the details here.
Day 10 – Madurai – Bangalore
Distance – 435 KMs (One way)
Road Condition – Excellent.
Google map of the Route http://tinyurl.com/k2atrfv
Leave Madurai around 7 AM. Have breakfast and lunch on the way and reach Bangalore by 4 PM.
Stay Options
You will be spoilt by the choices in all the places. You have some gorgeous places to stay and also options suiting all budgets. You can check these options on online through Tripadvisor, Cleartrip, Agoda or Bookings.com
Travel Tips
a) There are many extensions possible on this trip if you have more days to spare. Here are few
i) Extension to Thekkady from Munnar and then onwards to Kumarakkom
ii) Extension to Vagamon and then onwards to Kochi
iii) Extension to Kodaikanal from Madurai and then onwards to Bangalore.
b) The first-day drive is a little longer. But an excellent road till Dindigul helps. If you feel the distance is long, then drive to Dindigul on day 1. Stay in any of the lovely homestays on the outskirts of Dindigul and then proceed to Munnar the next day.
c) If you can spare an additional day in Munnar, you will be able to drive up to Kollakkumalai Tea Estate – the highest tea estate in the world.
d) If you are a trekker, keep a few days for trekking in Eravikulam National Park. Vagamon also has lovely trekking trails.
e) If you are a birder, then you should take some time out to visit the lovely bird sanctuary at Tattekad. This is on the way to Kochi from Munnar.
f) Choose either Kumarakkom or Alleppey as both are known for backwater cruises.
g) There are options for staying overnight in your houseboat or just doing a day trip.
h) We intentionally left out Kovalam which gets crowded. If you want to enjoy the beach at Kovalam add another day.
i) If you are not a beach person then opt to stay on Ashtamudi Lake near Kollam. You can enjoy the serene landscape and also go on a boat cruise on the lake.
i) Expect heavy crowds on holidays/long weekends.
j) If interested in exploring the history of Kochi, join the Kochi Heritage Walk. For more details check this website.
k) Kochi has some nice antique shops. But you have to bargain hard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) How can I plan a road trip from Bangalore to Kerala? – You can easily plan a road trip from Bangalore to Kerala in nine days covering Munnar, Kochi, Alleppey, Athirapally Falls, Kumarakkom, Trivandrum, Kovalam and Varkala. Please follow the detailed itinerary given above.
2) How can i plan a road trip to Kerala? – You can reach Kochi by air or train and then follow this itinerary Kochi – Munnar – Athirapally falls – Alleppey or Kumarakkom – Trivandrum – Kovalam – Varkala. Please see the detailed itinerary given above.
Lastly, the road conditions may change due to various factors. It will be good to join a road trip enthusiasts’ FB group HVK Forum managed by H V Kumar, the doyen of road trips in India. You can get the latest updates on road conditions in this very active group.
We strongly suggest that you download the customised RoutO app from H V Kumar. HVK as he is fondly called, provides you with customised route maps, and live support on the road trip and will also help you with hotel accommodation as well. Check out all the details here.
RoutO – The Right Route & Travel Support For The Motorist Traveller
We encourage you to explore more around Bangalore! Do check these posts below.
12 Wonderful Weeklong Road Trips from Bangalore with Day Wise Itinerary! – http://traveltwosome.com/exciting-road-trips-from-bangalore/
8 Wonderful Weekend Trips from Bangalore (Covers Saturday & Sunday) with Day Wise Itinerary – http://traveltwosome.com/weekend-getaways-from-bangalore/
What has been your experience of road trip from Bangalore to Kerala? We would like to hear from you. Please share it in the comments below.
Thank You
So interesting and informative. Thank you
Any information on road trip to Hampi from Bangalore?
Thanks Mathew. You can check this
Dear TT,
Very interesting and informative wsa really helpful
With Best Wishes and Kind Regards
S.Kanniah
9844121410